Kevin O’Brien of Roche Bros. was named the 2017 Helping Hands Award winner at the New England Food Foundation (NEFF) annual golfing event, attended by 200 representatives of the greater Boston food trade on Sept. 11 at Pine Hills in Plymouth, Massachusetts. The Helping Hands award is presented each year to a key leader in the industry who has helped to drive the mission of NEFF.
The NEFF is a nonprofit organization established for the express purpose of helping children in need through charitable activities of the food industry. The primary mission is the operation and the perpetuation of The Cape House in Sandwich, Massachusetts. The NEFF is supported by members of all religious backgrounds, although it was originally formed in conjunction with the Archdiocese of Boston. The NEFF membership now totals more than 600 people from all segments of the food industry.
O’Brien has worked for Roche Bros. for more than 40 years. He started part-time in the stores while he was going to college. After college he took on a full-time role in operations and then in the corporate office, where he works in the merchandising area today. During his time working at Roche Bros., O’Brien became involved in several charitable organizations including NEFF. He has helped secure product for the annual food caravan, ensures the Cape House is well stocked for all of the children that attend each summer and spearheads the annual Father Murphy Dinner.
